APME's credibility committee examined various newspaper policies on anonymous sources to identify best practices and key issues. Here are five quick points to consider in determining whether your own policy is clear and demanding.

1. Examine your standards for staff-written copy versus wire copy. Are they the same? The San Jose Mercury News has a seven-point policy on anonymous sources in wire stories.

2. Don't ever lie to protect a source's identity. Don't quote a source anonymously and then elsewhere in the story use his name and say he couldn't be reached for comment.

3. Be clear about who's granting anonymity and what's being promised. Make sure sources know their agreement is with the newspaper and that at least one editor will know their name. The Denver Post is even more specific. Its policy says: "On some stories, editors might ask reporters to discuss with confidential sources what the source's reaction would be if a court orders the newspaper and/or the reporter to divulge its source of information. The source's willingness to be publicly identified and attest to the information he or she provided might determine whether certain sensitive information is published."

4. Make sure sources know what will happen if they're dishonest. The Miami Herald advises, "Sources should know they're expected to deal honorably with the newspaper. If the source knowingly gives false information for publication, the commitment to confidentiality dissolves."

Finally, consider this blunt opening statement in the The Washington Post's policy: "When we use an unnamed source, we are asking our readers to take an extra step to trust the credibility of the information we are providing. We must be certain in our own minds that the benefit to readers is worth the cost in credibility."

Compiled by Bobbie Jo Buel
Chair, APME credibility committee
Executive Editor, Arizona Daily Star
bjbuel@azstarnet.com

Miami Herald:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/contact—us/about/9057200.htm?1c

San Jose Mercury News:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/contact—us/about/9723906.htm

Washington Post:
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=53&aid=61244

The New York Times:
http://www.nytco.com/company-properties-times-sources.html

Denver Post:
http://denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E31313%257E,00.html

The Associated Press:
http://www.apme.com/committees/credibility/052705anonymous.shtml